E.U. Extends Import Ban on Korean Poultry Products

The European Union (E.U.) executive committee has extended the import ban on poultry products, such as chickens and ducks, from certain Asian countries including Korea to December 15. The expiration date for the import ban that the E.U. had set earlier this year was August 15.

Through an announcement made on July 26, the E.U. executive committee explained the reason for the extension, stating, "We will extend the import ban on countries where the bird flu has been confirmed this year" and added, "In some countries in Asia, there are still incidents of bird flu, and the overall improvement of the disease is unclear."

Along with poultry products, pet birds are included on the list of articles affected by the import ban. The number of countries that the E.U. executive committee has imposed the import ban on this time adds up to nine, including Korea, Japan, China, and Thailand.

Dong-Keun Keum gold@donga.com